Prerequisites: 9th grade English
Length: Two semesters

Critical Reading and Effective Writing offers a balanced curriculum that develops both academic and life skills. Concepts are presented in creative and lively ways that reinforce learning goals and engage students. Literary selections include short fiction and poetry from around the globe, Shakespearean and modern drama, and contemporary novels. Nonfiction selections feature historical correspondence, diaries, logs, and famous courtroom arguments. Life reading skills target forms, applications, and work-related communication. Throughout both semesters, students build active reading strategies as they question, predict, clarify, and evaluate events and ideas presented in text.
The writing program builds confidence in young writers by targeting control of organization, effective sentences, and word choice. Students compose using the writing process. Grammar review and vocabulary development are included in every unit.
The content is based on the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) standards and is aligned to state standards.